.22 Suppressors and Rifle Precision
I just saw this video today, and it reminded me that this is something that I've been wanting to see if others have found the same problem.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zNwbkCS9mS4
I've been a big fan of running .22 suppressors anytime I'm shooting .22, but I started paying a lot more attention to .22 accuracy/precision last year shooting NRL22 and local precision rimfire matches. At first I thought it was just a fouling issue. Anyone who has a .22 can knows how dirty they get, especially with unjacketed/plated match ammo. I've put my rifle in a rack a few times at a match where I've heard some fouling break free in the can and assumedly fall down the barrel. That can't be great for accuracy.
But, the problem seems to go beyond fouling. I've shot quite a few 6x5 targets back-to-back with the can on vs off, and I consistently shoot better with the can off, even with a clean suppressor.
The difference isn't huge, and I've shot some great groups with the can on (plenty around .25 at 50 yards), but I've definitely noticed enough of a trend to ditch the can for matches. It seems that most of the top rimfire shooters have noticed the same because very few are running a suppressor.
This isn't to say that rimfire suppressors don't still have a place, I'll continue to run them for plinking and hunting.
Has anyone else noticed this loss of consistent precision?